KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek may be out for the season after a MRI revealed a torn deltoid ligament in his right ankle.

Grudzielanek went on the disabled list on Aug. 2, one day after colliding with first baseman Ross Gload while catching a fly ball to shallow right off the bat of Juan Uribe of the Chicago White Sox.

"We don't know if he's going to be back or not," Royals manager Trey Hillman said Saturday. "He's got a tear in that ligament. It is all going to be dependent on how it reacts in the next couple of weeks."

Hillman said Grudzielanek has gone home to San Diego, where he working with a rehab center.

"There's not a whole lot he can do right now," Hillman said. "I can't tell exactly when to expect him back or if he will be back. It would be dangerous (to return this season) if there is not some pretty quick healing."

Grudzielanek, who won a 2006 Gold Glove in his first year with the Royals, will not require surgery. Grudzielanek hit .299 with 24 doubles in 99 games when he was injured.

Esteban German has started primarily at second base in Grudzielanek's absence, but was hitless in his past 12 at-bats entering Saturday to drop his average to .222 in 60 games. Hillman could also move rookie Mike Aviles from shortstop to second and start Tony Pena Jr. at shortstop. Pena, however, is an 0-for-17 skid and is hitting just .148 in 74 games.

"It can happen both ways," Hillman said. "I'm going to try to keep as much offense in there as we can. German got on a streak a couple of weeks ago and was adding to the offensive attack. He hasn't had too many hits recently, but hopefully the bat will come back. Tony will get in there occasionally"

Grudzielanek can be a free agent after the season. The 38-year-old said he wants to play next year.